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Gender Queer

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For the gender identity, see Non-binary gender.

Gender Queer: A Memoir
1st Edition cover art illustrated by Maia Kobabe.
DateMay 28, 2019
PublisherLion Forge Comics
Oni Press
Creative team
WritersMaia Kobabe
ArtistsMaia Kobabe
ColoristsPhoebe Kobabe

Gender Queer: A Memoir is a 2019 graphic memoir written and illustrated by Maia Kobabe. It recounts Kobabe's journey from adolescence to adulthood and the author's exploration of gender identity and sexuality, ultimately identifying as being outside of the gender binary.

Gender Queer initially received a small printing and was marketed toward older teens and adults.[1] It increasingly entered the collections of high school and middle school libraries after receiving an Alex Award in 2020, an award given by the American Library Association to "books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults ages 12 through 18".[1] Since 2021, its inclusion in American libraries, particularly school libraries, has been frequently challenged by parents, based on the presence of some sexually explicit illustrations. The American Library Association ranked it as the most challenged book in 2021.[2]

Composition and publication

After coming out as nonbinary in 2016, Kobabe (who uses Spivak pronouns[3]) began drawing black-and-white cartoons about eir experience with eir gender identity, and publishing them on Instagram. E later used these cartoons as the basis for Gender Queer. E stated that e was motivated in part by eir difficulty in explaining eir gender to eir parents after coming out.[4][1]

Gender Queer was published by Lion Forge Comics on May 28, 2019,[5][6][7] receiving a small initial print run of 5,000 copies.[1] The book was marketed to adults and older teens, and Kobabe has stated that this was eir intended audience when writing the book.[4] Following Lion Forge's merger with Oni Press in May 2019,[8][9] Oni–Lion Forge Publishing Group (OLFPG) has continued to republish Gender Queer now under their Oni Press imprint.[10][11] In July 2022, a new hardcover edition was released by Oni Press with a foreword by ND Stevenson and an afterword by Kobabe.[12][13]

Critical reception

Publishers Weekly's February 2019 review stated that "this heartfelt graphic memoir relates, with sometimes painful honesty, the experience of growing up non-gender-conforming. [...] Kobabe is a straightforward cartoonist who uses the medium skillfully (if not particularly stylishly), incorporating ample cheery colors, with a script that's refreshingly smooth and nondidactic for the topic. This entertaining memoir-as-guide holds crossover appeal for mature teens (with a note there's some sexually explicit content) and is sure to spark valuable discussions at home and in classrooms".[5] The graphic novel was also included in Publishers Weekly's December 2019 "PW Graphic Novel Critics Poll" – Heidi MacDonald wrote that Gender Queer is "an immensely sympathetic memoir of self-discovery, rendered in clean, elegant art, that should become a queer comics classic".[14]

Tegan O'Neil, for The Comics Journal in 2019, commented that "more than simply a memoir, the book is designed to explain the very concept of being non-binary, beginning with the author's first memories of gender and ending with the discovery of Spivak pronouns (e, em, eir) and eir first steps towards getting the people around em to accept and understand said pronouns. [...] Kobabe's art is very readable and, above all, accommodating. E lays out eir personal history with an enviable degree of candor. [...] Part of the book details eir sexual history, as well as a series of terrifying and painful trips to the OBGYN, and even in the most sensitive areas Kobabe's art and storytelling remains both personable and clear".[15] O'Neil also highlighted that "Phoebe Kobabe's colors are strong throughout, a palette of soft pastels and earth tones to communicate a range of emotions".[15]

Jenni Frencham, for the School Library Journal in 2019, called the graphic novel a "great resource for those who identify as nonbinary or asexual as well as for those who know someone who identifies that way and wish to better understand" and stated that it "will resonate with teens, especially fans of Alison Bechdel's Fun Home and Mason Deaver's I Wish You All the Best".[16] Frencham highlighted that "the muted earth tones and calm blues match the hopeful tone and measured pacing. Matter-of-fact descriptions of gynecological exams and the use of sex toys will be enlightening for those who may not have access to this information elsewhere".[16]

Jacob Roden, for The News-Gazette in 2020, wrote that "due to the format, the book is easily digestible in a single sitting, and Kobabe holds the reader's hand every step of the way into the weeds of gender construction. [...] I heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in learning the basics of gender identity. LGBTQ+ folks will especially appreciate the coming out/coming-of-age story and the frequent allusions to queer icons".[17] Roden called the art style "economical, demonstrative, unpretentious, colorful" and highlighted that the writing conveys Kobabe's "experiences with purpose and candor in every panel".[17]

Sophie Brown, for GeekMom in 2022, commented that "Gender Queer isn't an especially easy book to read but it is a powerful one" and that for someone questioning their identity, "Gender Queer will be a comforting voice from someone who has walked the same paths".[18] Brown also highlighted some "harrowing moments" in the book – "Kobabe's first experience going for a pap smear was especially traumatic and resonated with me more than I expected, as I suspect it might for many of us who have had to undergo that procedure while uncomfortable with our bodies and sexualities. Other difficult moments included shopping for undergarments, exploring masturbation, and dating. While all these moments are difficult to read, they are handled beautifully and with a sense of both solidarity and the knowledge that things will eventually get better".[18]

Awards

In 2020, Gender Queer was one of ten books to receive an Alex Award from the American Library Association, for "books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults ages 12 through 18".[1] In the same year, the book was also a finalist for the Stonewall Book Award for non-fiction.[4] These awards led to the book becoming more widely available in school libraries.[4]

Censorship and controversy

Gender Queer has been described as being at the center of a larger wave of challenges to books with LGBT content in 2021, including other examples like Lawn Boy and All Boys Aren't Blue.[19] The American Library Association ranked it as the most challenged book in 2021.[2]

Kobabe has stated that the book's sales have increased following the challenges, and that the controversy has raised eir profile.[4] E has urged those who would challenge the book to read it in its entirety, rather than passing judgement based on a small number of images.[20] Tara Lehmann, publicity director at Oni Press, said to Publishers Weekly in June 2022 that "selling more copies doesn't fix the intrinsic problem: people are trying to police what others read. We are against the banning of books, of any kind" and she added "that Oni supports schools, libraries, and organizations as best it can, but 'our main focus is being supportive of Maia and making sure we're doing the most we can to ensure Gender Queer is available to any and all people who want to read it'".[21]

Sexual imagery

A controversial illustration in Gender Queer is based on this piece of red-figure pottery attributed to the Brygos Painter.

Gender Queer includes a handful of sexually explicit illustrations which have been used to argue that the book is inappropriate for schoolchildren.

In one commonly cited panel, a 14-year-old Kobabe fantasizes about a scene in which an older man touches the penis of a youth. The illustration is based on a piece of painted ancient Greek pottery depicting a "courting scene".[22][2] Detractors have described this as a depiction of pedophilia.[23][24]

Another illustration frequently cited by critics depicts Kobabe's girlfriend performing oral sex on Kobabe while Kobabe wears a strap-on dildo.[1][25][26] The book also includes depiction of masturbation.[22]

These sexually explicit illustrations have been widely reproduced (sometimes in censored form) by critics of the book on social media, at school board meetings, and on conservative television programs. The conservative advocacy group Independent Women's Forum attempted to purchase air time for an advertisement including imagery from Gender Queer but it was rejected as too graphic.[26]

The inclusion of Gender Queer in American public libraries and particularly school libraries has been the subject of numerous challenges beginning in 2021, with objections focusing on a handful of sexually explicit illustrations. Stephanie Mencimer, writing for the progressive website Mother Jones, argues that critics of the book have misrepresented the book as pornographic by focusing on a small number of explicit illustrations, which are generally presented without context.[26]

Community censorship in public and school libraries

Schools

The book challenges to Gender Queer gained national attention after a September 2021 Fairfax County School Board meeting, when parent Stacey Langton spoke out against the inclusion of Gender Queer and Lawn Boy in the library of her children's high school. Langton brought posters bearing enlarged sexually explicit illustrations from Gender Queer and read from a scene in which Kobabe's girlfriend sends em sexually explicit text messages such as "I cannot wait to have your cock in my mouth". Langton had her microphone cut mid-presentation, which elicited jeers from audience members. Langton's testimony was censored in the official footage of the meeting uploaded by the board, but uncensored footage was captured and uploaded to social media, where it went viral.[26] The story was widely covered by conservative media, such as The Daily Wire, which used the headline "WATCH: School Board Squirms as Mom Reads Them The Gay Porn In Books Available To Students", and on Fox News, which interviewed Langton on its morning show Fox & Friends.[26] Soon after the meeting, the Fairfax County School Board pulled the book from its library collections, but reinstated it months later following an investigation of the book's content.[22] Its inclusion has subsequently been challenged in at least 11 states, as of December 2021.[22]

According to a report from PEN America,[27][28] school library book bans grew to a "full-fledged social and political movement powered by local, state, and national groups" in the 2021-22 school year.[29] While this censorship movement originally focused on "discussions of race and racism, over the past year, it morphed to include a heightened focus on LGBTQ+ issues and identities"[29] – the report identified Gender Queer as the most frequently challenged book, banned in 41 school districts.[27][28][29]

Library responses to censorship

In response to the growing book censorship movement in the United States, the Brooklyn Public Library opened their library ecard to any individual, ages 13-21 for a limited time, starting in April 2022.[30] [31]

In August 2022, 62% of Jamestown Charter Township residents voted to defund their public library system after librarians refused to remove three books from the library's shelves: Gender Queer, Kiss Number 8 by Colleen A. F. Venable, and Spinning by Tillie Walden.[32][33] Prior to the vote, two librarians quit after being harassed about the book Gender Queer.[34] Community activists claimed that the presence of these books in the library's young adult and adult sections meant the library was trying to "groom" young children.[35] According to Library Board President Larry Walton, without fund renewal, "the library will run out of money in 2023, jeopardizing its existence."[32] In response to the threat of defunding the library, at least two GoFundMe accounts were started to fund the library through 2023; and by Sunday, August 28th, approximately 4,000 people had donated to the campaign, including a $50,000 donation from romance author, Nora Roberts.[36] Attached to Roberts' GoFundMe donation was a note that said, "Libraries and librarians should be valued and celebrated, never attacked and demeaned."[37]

In Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho, the public library director resigned in August 2022 after harassment related to banning books, and Gender Queer in particular.[38]

Politics

Numerous conservative politicians in the United States have challenged Gender Queer and other books.[1] Henry McMaster, Republican governor of South Carolina, called for an investigation into "obscene and pornographic" material such as Gender Queer in the state's schools.[2]

The book was seen as having a significant impact on the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election race between Republican Glenn Youngkin and Democrat Terry McAuliffe. During the last debate between the two candidates, Youngkin referred to the viral Fairfax County School Board meeting incident which had occurred just five days earlier:

What we've seen over the course of this last 20 months is our school systems refusing to engage with parents. In fact, in Fairfax County this past week, we watched parents get upset because there was such sexually explicit material in the library they had never seen. It was shocking. And in fact, you vetoed the bill that would have informed parents that they were there.[39]

The bill referred to by Youngkin applied only to assigned reading, not books like Gender Queer which were merely present in a school's library.[26] In his response to Youngkin, McAuliffe stated "I don't think parents should be telling schools what to teach". This was widely interpreted as a critical gaffe which contributed to McAuliffe's ultimate loss. Soon after the debate, Youngkin's campaign began running a campaign advertisement which juxtaposed McAuliffe's statement with footage from the Fairfax County board meeting.[26]

In September 2022, the Maine Families First political action committee and the American Principles Project launched efforts in the 2022 Maine gubernatorial election focused on banning Gender Queer. The American Principles project described these efforts as a multimillion dollar effort to "hold Democrats accountable for grooming our kids." A spokesperson for Janet Mills, the incumbent Democratic governor, stated, "Maine parents don't want a governor interfering in that process, to dictate what books should or shouldn't be in their kids' classroom."[40][41]

In June 2022, Virginian politicians Tim Anderson and Tommy Altman sued Kobabe and Oni–Lion Forge Publishing Group (OLFPG) over Gender Queer[42] by "citing an obscure state obscenity law" and alleged that the graphic novel is "obscene for unrestricted viewing by minors".[43][44] In response, OLFPG filed a "Demurrer and Motion to Dismiss" which "argues that the petition 'grossly mischaracterizes the nature and subject' of Gender Queer, and that the arguments that the petition submits are irrelevant to the suit and contradicted by the rest of the book. [...] Overall, Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group argues that the petitioner 'lacks standing' and has not made a strong enough case to establish standing in their argument".[45] The ACLU, "which is representing a group of local bookstores, as well as library and free speech organizations," has also filed a "Motion to Dismiss" – the ACLU's motion highlights "if the court decides that the book is obscene, then selling or distributing it anywhere in the state would be a crime. Retailers could be prosecuted for selling the book without being officially informed that it is obscene. In addition, retailers outside of Virginia Beach could be prosecuted for selling a book that was only determined to be obscene in one county".[42] On August 30, 2022, a Virginia Beach circuit court judge dismissed the petition against Gender Queer;[46][47] Judge Pamela S. Baskervill wrote that the cited obscenity law was "unconstitutional on its face in that it authorizes a prior restraint that violates the First Amendment and the Constitution of Virginia".[48]

Editions

Title Format Publisher Publication date Pages ISBN Ref
Gender Queer: A Memoir Trade paperback Lion Forge Comics May 31, 2019 240 ISBN 978-1-5493-0400-2 [5][16]
Gender Queer: A Memoir Deluxe Edition Hardcover Oni Press July 5, 2022 240 ISBN 978-1-63715-072-6 [12][49]

See also

Library resources about
Gender Queer

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Alter, Alexandra (1 May 2022). "How a Debut Graphic Memoir Became the Most Banned Book in the Country". New York Times.
  2. ^ a b c d Harris, Elizabeth A.; Alter, Alexandra (4 April 2022). "Book Banning Efforts Surged in 2021. These Titles Were the Most Targeted". New York Times.
  3. ^ Schemmel, Alec (2022-09-01). "TIME uses 'e/em/eir' pronouns in article, stirring strong social media response". WKRC-TV. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  4. ^ a b c d e Kois, Dan (22 March 2022). "What to Do When Your Kid Is Reading a Book That Makes You Uncomfortable". Slate.
  5. ^ a b c "Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe". Publishers Weekly. February 8, 2019. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  6. ^ Terror, Jude (2018-07-19). "Lion Forge to Publish Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer: A Memoir in 2019". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  7. ^ McMillan, Graeme (2018-07-19). "Lion Forge Comics to Release 'Gender Queer: A Memoir'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  8. ^ Gustines, George Gene (2019-05-08). "As Comic Book Industry Grows, Smaller Publishers Learn to Adapt". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
  9. ^ Marston, George (May 8, 2019). "ONI PRESS and LION FORGE to Merge". Newsarama. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  10. ^ Johnston, Rich (2022-01-30). "Gender Queer Graphic Novel Repeatedly Removed From Schools & Libraries". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Retrieved 2022-07-16. Gender Queer: A Memoir is a graphic novel by Maia Kobabe, first published by Lion Forge in 2019 and now republished from Oni Press
  11. ^ "EXCLUSIVE Oni Press Preview: Silk Hills". AIPT (Press release). 2021-11-23. Retrieved 2022-07-15. The Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group is a premier comic book and graphic novel publisher located in Portland, Oregon. Merged with Lion Forge Comics in 2019 but established in 1997, Oni Press publishes a thoughtfully curated line of award-winning original and licensed graphic novels and comic books for readers of all ages. Oni Press also publishes inclusive sex education, gender studies & erotica graphic novels under the Limerence Press imprint. Notable titles from the Oni Press include: The Tea Dragon Society, Sheets, Gender Queer, A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns, Scott Pilgrim, Stumptown, Sanrio's Gudetama, and Adult Swim's Rick and Morty.
  12. ^ a b "Gender Queer: A Memoir (Deluxe Edition)". Oni Press. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  13. ^ "Gender Queer: A Memoir Deluxe Edition Final Order Cutoff Preview". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. 2022-05-21. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  14. ^ "'They Called Us Enemy' Tops PW's Graphic Novel Critics Poll". Publishers Weekly. December 17, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  15. ^ a b O'Neil, Tegan (May 23, 2019). "Gender Queer". The Comics Journal. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c Frencham, Jenni (June 30, 2019). "Gender Queer: A Memoir". School Library Journal. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Roden, Jacob (September 20, 2020). "'Gender Queer' helpful in learning gender identity". The News-Gazette. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  18. ^ a b Brown, Sophie (June 25, 2022). "Pride Month 2022: 'Gender Queer' by Maia Kobabe". GeekMom. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  19. ^ Mazariegos, Miranda; Sullivan, Meghan Collins (4 April 2022). "Efforts to ban books jumped an 'unprecedented' four-fold in 2021, ALA report says". NPR.
  20. ^ Lopez, Brian; Pollock, Cassandra (12 November 2021). "How a YA oral-sex scene touched off Texas' latest culture war". The Texas Tribune.
  21. ^ MacDonald, Heidi (June 10, 2022). "Comics Librarians Are Up for the Fight". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  22. ^ a b c d Lavietes, Matt (19 December 2021). "Author of 'Gender Queer,' one of most-banned books in U.S., addresses controversy". NBC News.
  23. ^ Asbury, Nicole (23 November 2021). "Fairfax schools will return 2 books to shelves after reviewing complaints over content". Washington Post.
  24. ^ Kobabe, Maia (29 October 2021). "Schools are banning my book. But queer kids need queer stories". Washington Post.
  25. ^ Sarappo, Emma (1 February 2022). "Read the Books That Schools Want to Ban". The Atlantic.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g Mencimer, Stephanie (19 November 2021). "How One Mom Launched a Porn Panic That Helped the GOP Take Virginia". Mother Jones.
  27. ^ a b Albanese, Andrew (September 19, 2022). "PEN America Report Shows 'Rapid Acceleration' of Book Bans in Schools". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  28. ^ a b Pineda, Dorany (September 19, 2022). "School book bans have seen an unprecedented surge this year, a new report says". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  29. ^ a b c "Banned in the USA: The Growing Movement to Censor Books in Schools". PEN America. 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  30. ^ "Books Unbanned". www.bklynlibrary.org. 2022-04-05. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  31. ^ Roth, Emma (2022-04-25). "Brooklyn Public Library is offering free digital library cards to young adults in the US". The Verge. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  32. ^ a b Schaub, Michael (2022-08-05). "Michigan Library Is Defunded Over LGBTQ+ Books". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  33. ^ "US library defunded after refusing to censor LGBTQ authors: 'We will not ban the books'". the Guardian. 2022-08-05. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  34. ^ "A Mich. library refused to remove an LGBTQ book. The town defunded it". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  35. ^ French, Ron (2022-08-03). "Upset over LGBTQ books, a Michigan town defunds its library in tax vote | Bridge Michigan". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  36. ^ "Romance author Nora Roberts helps save MI library defunded over LGBTQ books | Bridge Michigan". www.bridgemi.com. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  37. ^ "Famous romance author contributes to campaign to keep Jamestown Patmos Public Library open". WZZM13.com. August 30, 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  38. ^ "'I feel rather threatened by that': Boundary County Library Director shares fear of extremism". KXLY. 2022-08-19. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  39. ^ "Yes, Virginia parents should tell schools what to teach". Washington Examiner. 30 September 2021.
  40. ^ "Maine governor race takes center stage in national conservative group's latest attack on LGBTQ books". Maine Public. 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  41. ^ "Maine governor race takes center stage in national conservative group's latest attack on LGBTQ books". Maine Public. 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  42. ^ a b "What's Next in 'Gender Queer' Case". ICv2. July 1, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  43. ^ Johnston, Rich (2022-06-29). "Oni Press & Maia Kobabe Sued For Obscenity By Virginian Politicians". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
  44. ^ Johnston, Rich (2022-07-04). "Maia Kobabe's Legal Response To Gender Queer Obscenity Lawsuit". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
  45. ^ "Oni-Lion Forge is being sued for obscenity related to Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer. This is their response". Popverse. ReedPop. 2022-06-30. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  46. ^ Robertson, Adi (2022-08-30). "Virginia judge shuts down demand to ban book sales to minors". The Verge. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  47. ^ Kendall, Kelsey (August 30, 2022). "Obscenity case seeking to bar Barnes & Noble from selling 2 books to minors dismissed by judge". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  48. ^ Kois, Dan (2022-08-30). "A Virginia Republican's Attempt to Ban Two Books Just Fell Apart. He Says Dobbs Will Keep Him Going". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  49. ^ "Gender Queer: A Memoir Deluxe Edition". Simon & Schuster (Product page). Retrieved July 15, 2022.
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